Secrets Only We Keep

Kenna stared at her father as he furrowed his brow, the doubt visible in his eyes. By the looks of it he was all but content, yet she knew better as to ask him why just yet… probably because it was her doing that had caused his mood to sour. And she was at least raised well enough by her foster parents to have learnt to remain quiet when a parent was angry. The dragon behind him gave her an apologetic look as it sat there regally, awaiting for the World Dragon’s Riyenas to speak; after Foros he held absolute command over them, and it knew it had been called here to initiate a new Riyenas' arrival… and moreso, its presence was needed to stabilize the area enough for Caradhras to remain in a physical form. Bringing back a soul from the beyond had its costs, even if it were merely in a dreamlike state; 'twas a necessary effort, however.

"Does… it bother you, father?" Kenna asked quietly after another beat of silence had passed, only for the white-haired demon emperor to rear his head and look his daughter in the eye. His visage contorted, and eventually relented as the man sighed deeply, and shook his head. "I feared this day would come sooner than later, but I'd wished it would not have been me to send you off to Foros, Aelin… not like this, at least." He admitted, gesturing at his daughter. "One's only allowed an audience with the World Dragons once they've awakened to their Riyenas blood, my child… not to awaken it. Although we're certain your blood has stirred, your guardian still remains at large, and that's the true problem here." Caradhras rose from his seat and started walking, the young demon queen following her father in silence as they passed halls upon halls within this aetherial version of their palace, in which it was still formed like it once was, back in the days of its former glory. Eventually they'd arrive in the archives, and descended a seemingly endless flight of stairs, until the stairs made way for a large room filled with ornate items, tomes and more, far larger than she'd ever seen before.

"This one here," Caradhras would say, tapping the back of a richly embroidered book. "Find this book when you return, Aelin. You'll feel it resonate with your blood once you're close, but in case you decide to bring a companion along; the book is titled 'The Skylords of Lorzen'." He turned around, placing both his hands on Kenna's shoulders, who stared up at her father's magicked eyes. "And my dear, when I say 'in case', I actually mean to --for the love of god-- bring someone along with you. If only to ease your old man's heart a little… you really don't want to know how many times I've been watching you crawl through the eye of the needle. I swear, would I've still been physically able to, I would've locked you in that damned tree so you'd never step a foot outside anymore." Kenna frowned at her father. "Oh please father, it's not that bad!" she retorted, but found her father replying almost instantly, shutting her up in the process. "Aelin, you almost died last time. Again, might I add. So you're taking someone with you, or I'm denying you any rights to an audience, you got that?"

Caradhras let go of his daughter, shortly ruffling her hair, and stepping away just in time to dodge the swift lunge following him. The demon grinned brightly, happy to see his offspring so full of vigor. "Actually… why don't you take that lovely lady-friend of yours with you? She's good for you, you know… and, well, just keep things proper when you're on the road, will you?" "F-FATHER!!!" Caradhras cackled in response to her fiery reaction and the even fiercer blush present on her cheeks, raising his hand in farewell before fading away with the rest of the aetherial world around him, leaving the demon queen to wake up from her dream.






Kenna slowly opened her eyes, allowing them to adjust to the dim light a multitude of candles threw upon the stacks of books and scrolls scattered around the room. A sigh escaped the demon queen as she laid back against her throne, burying her face and the still vividly present blush in the palms of her hands. Damn that old man and his shenanigans-- heh. Even then, she'd honestly missed these kind of interactions with her parents, never truly having had any of these moments up until she'd grown far too old for it, and yet she still adored those short moments she spent with her father, knowing it would be the only ones she'd get. Well… she let her gaze wander around the throne room she'd momentarily redecorated as a make-shift office for a variety of things; the only getaway she allowed herself when she wasn't to be found at the guild. As of late she'd been spending an awful lot of time cooped up in here, researching her awakening bloodline, but also a mysterious series of phenomenons that had been taking place within Earthland--- the Martyr's Halls seemed to hold a lot more information on it than Earthland's libraries, but even that information was scarce to begin with.

Up until now she'd also been keeping most of her bookworming and knowledge gathering to herself, but in that regard her father had been right… she shouldn't be doing this alone. The demoness had a perfectly capable partner right next to her, yet in her muttering and constant overthinking she'd failed to do that one thing she'd been supposed to do from the start-- sharing. Not wanting to worry Itori, especially after her last solo tour had almost gotten herself killed, Kenna had been keeping herself on the downlow, leaving fairly little to be known aside from her whereabouts and that she'd been sniffing out things in her father's palace. It was a safe place luckily, so little to worry about in that regard, but the exact details as to who or what she was trying to find… It had never truly been demon-related, despite it looking the part.

Her hand extended itself, and where it touched the air the very fabric of time rippled open to reveal Yggdrasil's interior on the other side. Slowly the demoness rose from her seat, allowing herself to be swallowed by the portal until she appeared on the other side, the throne room making way for her own private quarters. She ran a hand through her hair, revealing a set of scars still riddling the left side of her neck, past her collarbone and disappearing further down her shirt, towards her chest. Even though a decent amount of time had passed, the pain of her wounds still felt like they'd been newly-inflicted, and were it not for Itori's interference in the healing process the pain would've been far worse. She flinched, letting her hair fall back down to cover the wounds. There was so much she had her lover to thank for that even she did not know how or where to start… just that she would never stop being grateful to her for it.

Gathering a few things she'd then exit her office, sauntering through Yggdrasil's hallways in search of her lover. At this hour there wouldn't be many places she'd need to search in order to find her, taking her first guess to check Itori's own office Kenna would make her way there, softly knocking on the door before popping her head inside. "Itori? Do you have a moment?"



@Itori
Wordcount: 1278
Thread Wordcount: 1278

Something strange was going on with the portal system that allowed the members of Sabertooth to move around the infinitely large world tree without having to spend years to get anywhere.

As they had defeated the elder gods that had assaulted the guild and then claimed the interior of Yggdrasil for themselves, Sabertooth had also accepted the responsibility of ensuring that malicious factions wouldn't use the world tree's connection to all worlds to invade Earthland. Of course, to presume that the entirety of Yggdrasil belonged to them alone would be the height of absurdity: one might just as easily try to claim the whole of existence. A futile effort attempted by many, but Itori wouldn't let Sabertooth be one of those to dedicate themselves to such folly. No, the best thing for the guild was to at least guard Earthland from any invaders, and accept their limitations beyond that. But part of that role was to keep an eye on those worlds whose connection to Yggdrasil brought them close to accessing Earthland: even if Yggdrasil was technically infinite, some branches and roots were close to each other, sometimes in ways that might be difficult to understand.

Even Itori, who had lived a long time and experienced many strange things, could not claim to fully understand the world tree. She did not think it was possible for any creature to do so: Yggdrasil was something too great, too profound, for any single individual to grasp and comprehend. But she did understand more than most, which was beneficial when she was one of the guild masters of the guild that had decided to claim a portion of the tree as their headquarters.

The nine-tailed fox was reviewing data regarding the workings of the portals that were showing aberrant behaviour. They were still functioning, so the worst-case scenario was at least averted, but there were reports that instead of the transition being instant there was a delay before stepping into the portal would leave the traveller exiting on the other side. What happened during that delay was both difficult to describe and disconcerting: as the portals were meant to severely cut down on the time it took to travel from one point of Yggdrasil to another, to traverse worlds, the malfunction seemed to flood the traveller with visions of multiple worlds blending together, with no rhyme or reason to be found. Itori's best guess was that something was interfering with the functioning of the portals, and since Yggdrasil was meant to provide a safe way to move between worlds, that interference exposed people to the experience of crossing dimensions in a decidedly less reassuring manner. They had to figure out what was causing the interference and resolve it.

Fortunately, the solution in the short term was relatively simple. The passage to Earthland didn't appear to be affected for the moment, so there was a temporary ban on utilizing the other portals while the issue was studied and addressed. It wasn't ideal, but it was an affordable price to pay for the safety of Sabertooth's people.

As she went through the data, looking for clues as to what, or who, might be causing the interference, Itori's mind went to her lover, Kenna, who'd been spending a lot of time outside of the guild recently. It wasn't surprising: a lot had happened to the demoness, and the time she spent alone helped her reorganize everything in her head so she could process it in an orderly manner. When life became hectic and difficult to keep track of it was important to find opportunities to slow down and catch up on everything that was trying to overwhelm you. Mortals with their short lifespans often felt rushed, which was understandable even if it was also regrettable. Itori was glad that Kenna was looking after herself in that regard.

Still, she also wished that Kenna would spend that time with her, instead of locking herself up somewhere on her own. The tenko would always do her best to help her beloved, and she did believe that when it came to attaining peace of mind and finding your centre she could serve as a valuable assistant. Throughout her life, she'd learned this lesson multiple times, with subtle differences each time, so she at least could claim to have a lot of personal experience.

And on a personal level, she was just happier when Kenna was with her. The demoness's passion made the world feel more alive, especially since Itori could hear the way her warmth made the air dance. And the closer Kenna was, the better Itori could help her beloved.

But it was important to give people space when she needed it, especially when they were important to you. If Kenna kept this up Itori might become more insistent on tracking her fiery partner down, but for the moment she'd do her best to take care of the guild (in manners that Kenna might also not be very enthusiastic about doing herself either: this kind of research involved a lot of tedious research).

Even as she was thinking this, the tenko's ears twitched as she picked up a familiar sound. Rather than using one of the established portals Kenna was using her own method to travel back into the depths of Yggdrasil, a method which had a curious effect on the space around her. Thankfully the ripples were minuscule and temporary, so Itori didn't have to worry about it causing lasting damage... as long as Kenna didn't start using it rapidly in the same spot. She made a mental note to talk to the demon queen about that. For now, however, the more important thing was to wait patiently for Kenna to arrive: she could already hear the approaching footsteps, even from far away. As she waited she'd continue her own work, but with the issue being stable for now she'd be all too willing to take a short break for the person who mattered more to her than any other.

"Please, do come in Kenna." Her lyrical voice replied to the knocking on her door. Her lips curled into an affectionate smile as Kenna opened the door far enough to poke her head in, the nine-tailed fox putting aside the parchments she'd been presiding over to stand up and walk towards the door. "Of course I do, my love. Are there matters of great import that bring you back, or were you merely desiring my presence?" With a flick of a tail she'd open the door far enough that she could step forward to pull Kenna into a brief hug, one tail curling around one of the demoness's legs before the tenko stepped back to give Kenna space to move. The brief embrace had given her the opportunity to glimpse the surface of Kenna's thoughts: she tried to not read too deeply into her beloved, because even if Kenna herself was fine with it Itori didn't want to rob herself of the opportunity to properly communicate with her fellow guild master. Once you started knowing what people were thinking even as they were thinking it, communication on a more interactive level could become rather awkward.

WC: 1,198
PWC: 1,198
TWC: 2,476

@Aura

"A bit of both, in all honestly… but mostly the latter." she’d admit sheepishly, watching Itori as she rose from her seat and started making her way towards the door. The way she gracefully moved about, her radiant smile; everything about her lover were things the demoness loved watching. They made her melt in a way that she could hardly describe. Even when she’d reached the door all Kenna could do was stare in awe, almost lost in trance at her very presence. And when she flicked the door open with one of her tails to pull her into a hug the demoness eagerly reciprocated, squeezing her tightly as she nuzzled into her neck, breathing a content sigh. ”I missed you.” she’d whisper before letting go, already missing the closeness. She really had been gone for too long. But one only realized such things when they were confronted with the things they had been missing– and said missing too would only be realized once it had been gone for a long enough time.

Her smile was ever so bright when she gazed back at Itori, feeling that pleasant ripple of warmth surge through her as she did. It had only been a fortnight since she’d started visiting the Martyr Halls so frequently, yet the lack of presence and being near the nine-tailed fox had been weighing her down more than she thought. ”Have you been well, my dear?” she’d ask softly, knowing fully well the answer as she took Itori by the hand and led her away from the door, giving it a small kick until she heard it fall shut behind them. There were more private, pressing matters to discuss, for which she needed the privacy of closed doors, but her ulterior motive was just the simple fact that she didn’t want anyone to disturb their moment alone right now. Call it greediness, if anything. Right now she just wanted to know how her most cherished love was doing; the rest could wait just a little longer. It wasn’t like the spirit fox hadn’t already taken a peek at what she was going to tell either, she figured, having been rather insistent that she do so on previous occasions as well, just in case her explanations held zero sense. An occurrence that wasn’t all strange or foreign, sadly. The demoness would often get lost in her own words, or explain something that made sense to those that actually knew what the context pertained. She was learning, though. And every now and then, Kenna just didn’t feel like explaining or stumbling over her words. Sometimes it was just easier to have someone see those memories for themselves rather than to explain them.

Although there were chairs in abundance, the demon queen settled for the side of Itori’s desk, leaning up against it as she regarded her lover with gentle eyes. Even though they'd take the time for small talk and more frivolous things, at some point they'd have to address why she had truly returned to the guild, aside from wanting to see her partner again. So when that moment came, she'd let out a soft sigh and take the floor. "So… you might've already glanced at what I want to tell you, but it's pertaining to what I've been researching back at home-" Home. It was strange to call the palace home, and although it technically was, as she'd been born in the Martyr's Halls, Kenna had never lived there long enough to actually regard it as such. It had just been a building, a monument of olde; at most a testament to her father's reign. Yet when she walked those halls alongside her father's spirit it somehow felt like she'd almost belonged there. She pushed the thought away and continued after her momentary faltering. "And pertaining to me. Through a lucky streak we've managed to connect with my father's spirit again, and have been researching the legacy that's been thrown in my lap… or well, my blood, if we're going to nag about details." She'd gesture with her hands, only to continue. "Point being that the fact it hasn't shown itself yet might be connected to another phenomenon bound to happen somewhere soon, and I'm supposed to be taking it up with the World Dragons now."

There was a short silence as she shook her head. This explanation only made the matter sound incredibly nonchalant. "Moreso… My father has granted me an audience with the dragon that made him a Riyenas, hoping it would shed some light on why my blood hasn't fully awakened yet. But he doesn't want me to face them alone. And I don't think I want to face them alone, either," Her hands were fidgeting with the hem of her shirt as they laid in her lap, her eyes wandering off to stare at them for a short while. Yes, she had bravado, and she by far wasn't afraid of the dragons she'd crossed thus far. But the way her father had been addressing these World Dragons, and how honoring he was whenever he mentioned them, hell even her gut was telling her to not be rash about this. When her hands clenched Kenna looked up again, her stark-white hair messy and draped across her shoulder. "I'd like you to come with me when I have my audience," she'd look her lover in the eye once more, genuine in her request. "I've literally not a clue about what to expect, and I'd feel a lot safer having you with me. More grounded with you beside me, too. But only if work permits, of course! If we can't I'll just… figure something out." she'd add quickly. At one point they'd been free to do as they pleased, come and go without any rules restraining them; but now they were no longer regular members, nor aces. They were the ones leading Sabertooth now. Said liberties had been awfully restricted, even though the demoness hadn't quite been keeping herself to some of those rules. She was often gone from the guild for longer amount of times, but she was diligent in the work she did do, always tackling her workload -or most of it- before she dipped again. Ever since the war had gone awry she'd made a point of doing just that.




Wordcount: 1057 of 2335
Thread Wordcount: 3533

@Itori

"I am glad to hear that, my love. I missed you as well." Itori's smile widened a bit as Kenna admitted to her current presence being as much because of personal motivations as any potential professional ones. The two of them were guild masters of Sabertooth, a guild with many responsibilities. As such, there were many burdens that they had to carry, protecting the world from threats both external and internal. But that didn't mean they weren't still people with their own needs and desires, and Itori found no small amount of pleasure in knowing that Kenna wanted to spend time with her. She also felt it in the way that the demoness answered the hug, a tight embrace that was filled with sincere affection. That kind of thing was hard to fake, and Itori knew that Kenna was as genuine as they came.

She'd followed Kenna back into the room, one ear twitching as the door closed behind them so they once again enjoyed the privacy of the room. Not that there was anyone else in the vicinity, but shutting the door just helped ensure it, as well as helping provide an atmosphere of privacy and closeness. The temperature inside Yggdrasil's bowels was always pleasant, in a somewhat odd manner that there might be no temperature at all: it might be that the world tree's atmosphere simply matched whatever was most suitable for the individual, regardless of how many individuals might be present in the same spot. Yggdrasil was an existence that transcended dimensions and worlds, so something as simple yet paradoxical as its atmosphere always being suitable for anyone wouldn't be beyond its abilities.

"I have been much the same as I always am. There is a lot of work to be done, but it remains manageable so far." Of course, there was the issue of the portals, but Itori didn't think Kenna immediately needed to be informed of that. Especially since the demon queen seemed to have something else on her mind already. As they returned to Itori's desk the tenko would take her seat behind it, putting the files in front of her in order even as her vermilion eyes remained on Kenna, looking her beloved in the eyes. It was important to spend some time on less important matters before they moved onto the more serious matter which had brought Kenna here. The demoness had a lot of things on her plate, so even if Itori didn't doubt for a moment that she also just wished to spend some time together the other matter also had to be addressed.

With the files out of the way she'd fold her hands in her lap as she listened to Kenna, a slight tilt of her head indicating that the horned woman had her full attention. In this position, her tails were more or less hidden behind the desk. She remained silent as Kenna took her time to explain the situation, how she'd managed to get into contact with the spirit of her father and how they were working on figuring out why Kenna's lineage hadn't yet awakened. it wasn't the first time that Itori had been told about this, and she was pleased to hear that there might be some progress in that area. As for making contact with Kenna's father... Well, as long as the spirit wasn't abused in the process there was nothing wrong with connecting with the afterlife.

However, when the world dragons were mentioned the nine-tailed fox frowned slightly. She actually did not know much about these mysterious entities, other than that they were powerful and played an important role in the grand scheme of things. They didn't seem to get involved much with the events of the present day: more likely their concern was with allowing the present day to exist in the first place.

Kenna's reason for coming to her became clear the moment the demoness explained that she wasn't supposed to meet the world dragon on her own. Itori would wait until the demoness had finished talking before slowly getting up. "To my shame I must admit that I do not possess much knowledge about these world dragons either. However, it is clear that they are creatures of importance that deserve respect and consideration. If your father believes that someone should accompany you for this audience I shall gladly do so." Her hands remained folded together and hidden inside her large sleeves as she stepped out from behind the counter to join Kenna. "Your father would not suggest this if he did not deem it necessary, nor should it be unreasonably dangerous. Nevertheless, when meeting such an entity we will have to err on the side of caution."

"As for whether we have the freedom to both attend this audience..." Itori turned her head slightly to look at her desk out of the corner of her eye. The portals had been banned and the situation didn't seem to be getting worse. All the other work was routine, nothing that couldn't be delayed for a while. She turned her head to face Kenna once more. "It should be possible, although we will have to make some preparations. The two of us will have to sort through the work and finish as much of it as possible while considering what can be delegated to the aces of the guild before we depart." Some of the work could only be done by the guild masters themselves, but there was plenty that the aces could help take care of. Usually Itori did most of the work herself, as she deemed that Imai and Gaia had other, more important matters to deal with, but this was important as well, and the two aces would understand.

Itori's expression was a mixture of an apology and amusement as she smiled at Kenna. "So I must announce with great regret that before we can depart we will have to finish our homework." She didn't resent Kenna for being busy with other things most of the time, but she couldn't help but be entertained by the idea that, before she could have her audience with the world dragon that could finally awaken her lineage, Kenna would have to help her take care of the paperwork like a teenager who'd been putting off homework. Of course, even with Kenna here with her Itori would do most of the work herself, but the thought was still there.

WC: 1,076
PWC: 2,274
TWC: 4,609

@Aura